"This is the first really bad crash he's had" - Mikel Landa on Tadej Pogacar's injuries at La Vuelta
Cycling
Tadej Pogacar has been forced to withdraw from the Vuelta a España on stage 8 in which he's suffered multiple fractures. Mikel Landa, a rider who has been through similar situations on several instances, has spoken about the World Champion and his own recent injury.
The Slovenian's crash has thus far been a marking factor at La Vuelta, whilst at the same time carrying large consequences for the remainder of the season. Pogacar sustained a concussion, a fractured collarbone and vertebra.
A recovery period is not yet clear, whilst Pogacar underwent collarbone surgery this Monday. Mikel Landa, at the Spanish Grand Tour, urges Pogacar to start looking ahead and aknowledges that this could've happened to anyone.
"One key thing could be to think about next year a bit and looking ahead. He's still got lots of possible goals," Landa shared in words to Cyclingnews. "This is the first really bad crash he's had, and this isn't an easy sport, even if he's the king of the show".
Crash could be motivation for Pogacar
A return to racing in 2026 is not yet ruled out, although his injuries might take too long for the World Champion to recover in time. Within less than a month the World Championships in Montréal take place; whilst Il Lombardia takes place in around five weeks.
But 2027 is the earliest that Pogacar can make a return to his best form. Landa argues the injury might motivate the Slovenian to already begin thinking about the upcoming season.
"He needs to have that extra morale boost for sure and starting to plan for next year will likely be a great source of motivation for Tadej," the Basque argues.
Having also experienced several tough injuries throughout his long career, Landa is understanding of the situation. "When things like this happen, it brings us together and respect for the rivals is a big part of that".
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Landa recovered from severe spring injury
The Soudal - Quick-Step rider himself had his season disrupted by a pelvis fracture, suffered at Itzulia Basque Country where he was hit by a race vehicle. He was forced to miss several months of racing, and at the Vuelta he is still getting back to his rhythm.
"The injury I got from the crash in Itzulia, my fractured pelvis, has sorted itself out now," he confirms. "That was responsible for everything, at first the bones weren't setting properly but now they're no longer giving me any problems."
However the lack of training and racing during key moments of the season have left a dent on his ability to perform at the moment: "Right now, it's more a question of lack of form. I've barely raced all year and I'm lacking that race rhythm."
Asked about who is the new potential winner of the race, he believes it's anyone's to take: "The race is really open now and we'll have to see what happens, but I expect there will be a big battle between Mas, Gall and Roglic for the final victory."
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- What a great race! Couldn't look away. Can't wait for the euros
Rafionain-Glas01-11-2026 - I think other competitors also had great Tours, so it wasn't that Ferrand-Prévot necessarily failed in some way - it's more likely that the other top riders lifted their game and maybe also a bit of luck with no crashes, etc. It's the Tour de France after all. It's not meant to be easy to defend your title (the few exceptions like Pogacar prove the rule).Pogboom01-11-2026
- maybe we should put our cv at the end of each comment post ... same rights for all of us!Ketterechts01-11-2026
- hahah literally all it is. Glad im not the only one noticing, essentially this is just a blog as it is now. Run buy boys from their bedroom hehe Their very subjective aswell, people on twitter even said their pure visma fanboys, if you listen to Ruben silva guy pre TDF this year all he said turned out to be wrong and constantly fail to realize visma isnt where they was before roster wice or means to contest even RBH or Lidl anymore, ,very biased ppl and when you run ''news articles that way its problematic..miguel01-11-2026
- The new joke of the year in 2027: "If both guys (Pogi and Seixas) finish upright on their bikes and both don't get sick for some reason, I think Paul will fight Tadej to the end and will possibly beat him in 2027 at the Tour, yes, I just said that." ... ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ...PogiSloFans01-11-2026
- Cutting his suit up and getting him to sign it while quite seriously injured is absolutely ghoulishwrsty01-11-2026
- 24 years old?Ketterechts01-11-2026
- Hey @frieder3, yeah sure, bull crap. What experience? You have no eyperience, you're an amateur cyclist... and to make things even worse, you're a lousy amateur cyclist. So what you're saying about your C7 has no relevance... do you even know where C7 is in your body? No, it's not in your knee!!! PS: Trump loves ya... 😍😍😍PogiSloFans01-11-2026
- He won't have a neck problem until he's older and arthritis kicks in lil guy !frieders301-11-2026
- Yep I find any way possible to not have other listen to Bob and VandeVelde commenting on a bike race. His annoying wrong predictions and irritating chuckle are mute worthy!frieders301-11-2026
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